A Look At Some Of The Best Ways To Avoid Costly Transmission Repairs
When it comes to the transmission in your vehicle, a major repair can sometimes be a costly one. While we do all we can to provide a quality repair at a reasonable cost, the reality is transmission repairs are very labor extensive and can at times be costly. Now don’t get us wrong, we love seeing our customers, but the last thing we want is to have one of our customers paying for a major repair that possibly could have been avoided. Now while there is no way to completely guarantee a vehicle will never malfunction or prematurely fail, there are numerous preventative measures that can be done to reduce the chance of a major breakdown. The experts at Metro Transmission and Automotive have put together our top ways to help you prolong the life of your vehicle’s transmission.
Tips to Extend the Life of Your Transmission
- Regularly Check the Transmission Fluid
- Stop Before Shifting
- Keep It Cool
- Transmission Maintenance Service
- Take It Easy
Regularly Check Your Fluid
Keeping an eye on the transmission fluid level, color and smell is an easy way to determine if your transmission is operating properly. Low levels, discolored or foul-smelling fluid is all signs of a transmission problem and should be inspected by a professional mechanic to determine the cause.
Stop Before Shifting
Making sure you that come to a complete stop before shifting from one gear to another eliminates major strain on your transmission. While it may seem like your vehicle can handle this without issue, over time it will wear down the internal components of your transmission. This is especially important while on any type of incline.
Keep It Cool
While it may not seem like the cooling system has a direct impact on your transmission, it absolutely does. Overheating can very well shorten the life of your transmission, resulting in a possible costly and usually inconvenient repair. Your radiator is responsible for cooling the engine and transmission in your vehicle and should be checked regularly. This includes but is not limited to the coolant level, thermostat, radiator cap pressure, and any visible leaks.
Transmission Maintenance Service
Regular transmission service is an excellent way to ensure your vehicle’s transmission is operating properly, change/clean accessible filters and to monitor the condition of the fluid. You can check your owner’s manual or warranty’s scheduled maintenance requirements to determine the recommended frequency. It’s best to speak to your local mechanic about the type of driving and miles you cover to determine the best maintenance schedule based on your vehicle and driving type.
Take It Easy
Avoiding quick acceleration or hard braking is not only good for your fuel efficiency, but it’s also a good way to extend the life of your transmission. A couple other things you can do to help take it easy on your transmission is using your parking brake while parked on inclines and avoid towing or hauling heavy loads.
If you have any questions about your transmission or other tips on maintaining your vehicle, give us a call and speak to one of our ASE Certified Mechanics. If you’re interested in our transmission maintenance services, get started with a free quote today. We’ve been proudly serving North County San Diego for nearly 4 decades, and we’re here to help you with all transmission and automotive repair needs and questions.
